10 YEARS AGO

August 15, 2005

COUNCILLORS raised a number of concerns about the enormous south Bridgwater housing development – but still granted planning permission.

Sedgemoor District Council agreed to proceed with the applications for Dawes Farm and Willstock Farm and building work will begin next year, with the first of 1,460 homes due to be finished in 2007.

TWINKLE-toed youngsters, who use East Huntspill Church Hall to practice their moves, wiped the dance floor with the competition at the European Irish Dancing Championships in Germany.

The five-strong team of would-be Michael Flatleys took home more than 20 trophies from the prestigious event and are now in training for their next public performance.

A YOUTH charity is helping youngsters living out in the sticks by loaning them mopeds so they can get to work, college or just out and about.

The Somerset Rural Youth Project lends the mopeds to teenagers in areas where there is very limited public transport.

20 YEARS AGO

August 15, 1995

DEPUTY Mayor Ken Parkin received a welcome boost for his appeal to buy state of the art equipment for Bridgwater’s ambulances when a group of elderly residents and carers clubbed together to donate £100.

An ambulance technician, Councillor Parkin is hoping to raise £10,000 with the support of colleagues to buy pulse oximeters for all three of the Bridgwater-based ambulances.

A PANTHER-like creature spotted at Pawlett has led to renewed claims that a large cat is prowling Sedgemoor.

There have been a number of reported sightings of a mysterious cat throughout the district and the latest incident was caught on video tape by Wayne Broad.

Mr Broad, 33, was in the back garden of his home in Pawlett with his dog Barney when he looked over his shoulder and saw what he thought was a fox in the adjoining field.

A MAJOR new housing development got underway in Bridgwater with the help of local MP Tom King.

Mr King was at the Crowpill Coalyard in Northgate to “break the turf” for the 75-home schemes by using a mechanical digger.

25 YEARS AGO

August 14, 1990

SMILES as local cameraman Brian Bateman presents a special gift to the Rev Ted Ayerst to mark his retirement as the vicar of St Mary’s Church, Bridgwater.

The gift was a video featuring a series of events in Sedgemoor. Mr Ayerst said he had been particularly interested in seeing the coverage of the Queen’s visit to St Mary’s Church in 1987.

A BUDDING Bridgwater artist won first prize in a children’s art exhibition at Fyne Court, Broomfield. Laura Rooks, ten, from St Mary’s school, Bridgwater, won first prize in her age group category in the Children.

THERE was no question of children at Cannington wondering what to do during the summer school holidays. The round of activity heralded a hectic fortnight arranged by the Cannington Ward Recreational Committee.

With the hot sunny weather apparently unending, it was mainly the outdoor activity and pastimes which created the most interest, especially round the swimming pool.